Joe Kisner, 47, has hiked more than 34,000 miles on trails throughout the United States. Up until eight years ago, Kisner hiked locally, hitting distances up to 80 miles. He also became an ultramarathon runner, competing in races up to 100 miles long, as he prepared to tackle multistate hikes. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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“Before I started the Continental Divide it was about this being my Triple Crown hike,” Kisner said. “But after completing the hike, it seemed to be more of a challenge within itself. It wasn't about the award when I finished.” PHOTO COURESTY JOE KISNER

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Kisner said his reaction at hike's end, at Glacier National Park near the Canadian border, wasn't one of fanfare. PHOTO COURTESY JOE KISNER

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Kisner captures the sunrise along the Continental Divide Trail, which he hiked in less than 100 days. PHOTO COURTESY JOE KISNER

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Glacier National Park is at the northern end of the Continental Divide Trail. Joe Kisner finished here; he began his hike at Crazy Cook, N.M., near the Mexico border. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF JOE KISNER

The Triple Crown

Hikers who complete the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail can apply for the award with the American Long Distance Hiking Association West.

Jackie McDonnell, Triple Crown awards co-coordinator, said the award is given out based on the honor system.

The first Triple Crown awards were issued in 1994.

The award ceremony Saturday in Nevada City will welcome 22 people into the small group of hikers who have completed the Triple Crown. The latest additions to the group will bring the number of people with Triple Crown status to 196, McDonnell said.

She added there are likely other hikers in the nation who have completed all three trails but did not apply for the award.

Overall, the group that can claim its members have mastered three of the most difficult trails in the nation is exclusive and unique.

"I think a lot of it comes down to arranging your life in order to take five months off to hike three different times," she said. "A lot of it is just making life choices to arrange your personal life and your professional life to allow ... that much time off to pursue your dreams."

How do you pack for an extensive hike?

Spending months trekking through the wilderness takes extensive planning and research. Joe Kisner keeps the pack on his back as light as possible, so he sends boxes filled with food and gear to stock up along the trail.

On his back: Kisner's pack, which weighs about 5 pounds, has a change of clothes, a sleeping bag and tarp. Food and water add weight, but the load varies throughout his journey.

Planning boxes: Kisner mails a box full of supplies to towns along his route. A typical box includes a new pair of shoes, enough meals and snacks, razors and batteries for his cellphone and GPS unit.

Emergency prep: Kisner said being prepared for emergencies is important to ensure hikers can cross the finish line. He carries with him a sewing kit to repair any tattered clothing, a first-aid kit for minor injuries such as cuts or scrapes, tablets in case he gets sick from drinking mountain water, and pepper spray to ward off any animals, which he said he's never had to use.

By the numbers

1: One pack, one sleeping bag and one tarp

2: Changes of clothes. Kisner said he drops significant weight on the trail.

6: Pairs of tennis shoes he goes through.

16: Number of hours a day he hikes.

25: Pairs of socks he goes through on the trail.

25: The number of boxes he mails to towns along the trail packed with extra supplies.

30: The average number of miles he completes each day.

Spotted on the trail

The Continental Divide Trail offers a thorough look at wildlife in North America. Here are some of the animals Kisner encountered on his hike.

Black bears

Grizzly bears

Wolves

Moose

Turkeys

Elk

Wolverines

Porcupines

Pronghorns

Wild horses

Javelinas

Graphics

Months at a time, thousands of miles and alone – that's how Huntington Beach resident Joe Kisner likes to hike.

Kisner, 47, on Saturday will be among a select group to claim he has hiked the nation's most challenging and lengthy trails when he is awarded the Triple Crown by the American Long Distance Hiking Association.

The award is given to hikers who have successfully completed the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail – nearly 8,000 miles total.

It's a lifetime achievement-type honor that fewer than 200 people in the United States have received.

“Before I started the Continental Divide it was about this being my Triple Crown hike,” Kisner said. “But after completing the hike, it seemed to be more of a challenge within itself. It wasn't about the award when I finished.”

Hiking long distances was a hobby instilled by Kisner's father, Jim.

Relishing the peacefulness of an untouched fishing spot, Kisner would follow on his father's heels off the main trails during family vacations in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

“To this day, we still have some secret family spots,” Kisner said.

Up until eight years ago, Kisner hiked locally, hitting distances up to 80 miles. He also became an ultramarathon runner, competing in races up to 100 miles long, to prepare for multi-state hikes.

In 2005, Kisner, a stone mason with the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers union, started his Triple Crown journey. He schedules his hikes in between jobs with the union.

Planning and saving for hikes takes months of preparation, in some cases years of saving money, and the support of his family – his wife, Lezli, and daughters Danielle, 19, and Aaren, 17.

“They know I'm a better person” for doing this, Kisner said. “As soon as I make a commitment, it begins. There's so much planning and I become happier when I start knowing I'm going to be out there.”

He completed the Pacific Crest Trail in 106 days. He trekked that route three more times – failing to finish in 2006 and setting records in 2007 and 2008 when he finished in 79 days and 71 days, respectively.

The Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine, was checked off his list in 2010.

For the final leg of his Triple Crown, Kisner set out May 24 from Crazy Cook, N.M., near the Mexico border to take on the Continental Divide. He finished at the Canadian border Aug. 29.

“The Continental Divide Trail is, by far, the most challenging trail in the United States,” Kisner said. “For one, it's longer. Also, the trail is not complete and the navigation is tough.”

Kisner packs light and sleeps along the trail after hiking an average of 30 miles a day. He eats berries and rehydrated ramen and drinks from fresh water sources until he can find a town for a hot meal.

There can be great risks on the trail, including wildlife, rugged terrain and natural disasters such as lightning storms and wildfires.

“My biggest fear this year was really the fires and grizzly bears,” Kisner said. “Once you get past grizzly country you sort of laugh at yourself because you can't help the fear. … But in all reality, the grizzly bears aren't after you.”

Kisner said his reaction to the finish line at the Canadian border wasn't one of fanfare or great accomplishment but an appreciation for the journey.

“On the trail I grew physically, mentally and spiritually. I became better,” he said. “Finishing is just the next step in getting home.”

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